Grippers for handling preforms

• US 6,612,634 B1
• Filed: 12/07/2001
• Issued: 09/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SI SA (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SI SA (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Zoppas, Matteo
• Primary Examiner(s): Kramer, Dean J.
• Application Number:
  US10/009,170
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 294/104, 294/106, 294/99.1, 294/28, 294/33, 294/90, 294/116, 901/31, 901/39
• US Class Current: 294/106
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 15/0206 comprising articulated grippers
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2949/0715 the preform having one end closed
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/06 Injection blow-moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/4205 Handling means, e.g. transfer, loading or discharging means handling of inserts or reinforcements B29C49/20; handling of linings or labels B29C49/2408
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/42075 with pivoting clamps
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 49/42087 holding outside the neck

Abstract

Preform gripper comprising a handling arm (1) and a preform support plate (2) that has at an extremity thereof a semi-circular aperture (7) that is adapted to accommodate a cylindrical portion (28) of the collar of the preform. Hinged on said plate there are provided two parallel side gripping members (5, 6), two end portions of which (13, 14) are in the shape of an arc of a circle and are adapted to elastically move closer to each other up to a pre-established position. The gripper is adapted to, enable said cylindrical portion (28) of the collar of the preform to be fitted into and removed from, with a snap-like action, said semi-circular aperture (7) by pressing and pulling, respectively, the preform against two opposite, elastically enlargeable outer edges (31, 32) of said two side gripping members (5, 6).

Claims

1. A gripping device operable to grip a preform having a collar portion, said gripping device comprising:

a handling arm;

support means adapted to support and handle the preform, formed by a plate made in a single integral piece that is provided at an extremity thereof with a semi-circular aperture adapted to move into coupling with and accommodate a cylindrical portion of the collar of the preform;

interconnection means provided between said arm and said support means and firmly joined thereto;

two symmetrical, parallel side gripping members hinged onto said plate, whose two extremities are formed with respective contours adapted to be capable to move into fittingly coupling with two respective portions of the collar of the preform, and are further adapted to elastically move closer to each other up to a pre-determined position;

one or more elastic members that operate in a compressing mode on said two side gripping members on the opposite side of said respective extremities, wherein said elastic members comprise a cylindrical spring operable to provide a force between said elastic members, wherein said plate is provided, on the opposite side of said extremities, with a hole adapted to accommodate said spring, characterized in that said plate is provided centrally with a relief portion, a resting position of said side gripping members being abutting against respective grooves of said relief portion.

2. A gripping device according to claim 1, wherein said relief portion is provided, on the edge thereof which is adjacent to said aperture with a step-like abutment that is adapted to fittingly couple with said cylindrical portion of the collar of the preform.

3. The gripping device according to claim 1, wherein said two side gripping members are provided with respective outer edges that are so oriented as to be able to define a funnel-shaped or V-shaped configuration adapted to facilitate the insertion of said cylindrical portion of the collar of said preform.

4. The gripping device according to claim 3, wherein said relief portion is provided, on the edge thereof which is adjacent to said aperture, with a step-like abutment that is adapted to fittingly couple with said cylindrical portion of the collar of the preform.

5. The gripping device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is adapted to enable said cylindrical portion of the collar of the preform to be fitted into and removed from said aperture, with a snap-like action, by simply pressing and pulling, respectively, said cylindrical portion against outer edges capable of widening elastically of said two side gripping members.

6. A gripping device operable to grip a preform having a collar portion, said gripping device comprising:

a handling arm;

a support plate having an aperture formed at an extremity thereof, the aperture having a shape capable of accommodating a first portion of the collar;

an inner connecting device connecting said handling arm to said support plate;

a gripping member having a pivot point and an extremity that is shaped to conform with a contour of a second portion of the collar, said gripping member being pivotally attached to said support plate at the pivot point, said gripping member being operable pivot about the pivot point such that said extremity moves between a first position and a second position; and

a biasing device operable to provide a biasing moment to said gripping member such that said extremity is biased in a direction toward the second position,

wherein said biasing device is disposed at a position such that the pivot point of said gripping member is positioned between said biasing device and said extremity,

wherein said support plate comprises a relief portion having a groove, and

wherein said relief portion is disposed such that said gripping member, at the second position, abuts against the groove.

7. The gripping device according to claim 6, wherein said relief portion comprises an abutment disposed adjacent to the aperture.